Pan et al. claim that our results actually support a strong linear positive relationship between productivity and richness, whereas Fridley et al. contend that the data support a strong humped relationship. These responses illustrate how preoccupation with bivariate patterns distracts from a deeper understanding of the multivariate mechanisms that control these important ecosystem properties.

This work was generated using data
from the Nutrient Network collaborative experiment, funded at
the site scale by individual researchers and coordinated
through Research Coordination Network funding from NSF to
E.T.B. and E.W.S. (grant DEB-0741952).